Luke 5:17-26, Part 1
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Note: Because there is so much happening in this story, we’ll take two days to explore it.
Read Luke 5:17-26 noting any words or phrases that stand out as you read.
The Pharisees were passionately committed to following God’s law, but in their zeal for perfection in outward behavior, many of them had misunderstood the spirit of the law. God’s laws were meant to both protect God’s people and to demonstrate God’s character to the world, and God’s character is more than an outward expression of holy behavior. God’s very essence is love in action.
Still, they came to hear Jesus. And whether they came out of curiosity or suspicion, they recognized that there was something different about him.
The journey to becoming a follower of Jesus can start in a multitude of ways, and everyone is either moving forward toward Jesus or moving away at any given moment. We know from other places in the Gospels that some of the Pharisees and other religious leaders eventually found their way to following Jesus, although many went the opposite way.
Stop to consider how it might change the way you think about the people you encounter if you were to be more aware that each of them is on a spiritual journey. Share your thoughts about this with Jesus.
Read Luke 5:17-26 again focusing on the actions of the paralyzed man’s friends.
In order for healing to happen, someone has to have faith. And in this case, it is the faith of the man’s friends that opens the way for his healing. But as Jesus becomes aware of the person descending from the hole in the ceiling, he sees more than just a physical need. And he addresses the deeper issue first.
Take some time to think about the ways you pray for others – both friends and random people who cross your path. Speak openly with Jesus as thoughts come, and make space for listening to him as well.
What might Jesus be saying to you or inviting you to do today?
What will you do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
